Selective fluorescence sensing of Li+ in an aqueous environment by a ferrocene-anthracene-linked dyad

A new 1-(9-anthryl)-4-ferrocenyl-2-aza-1,3-butadiene showing selective fluorescence enhancement upon binding to lithium cations over other alkaline cations in aqueous environment has been conveniently synthesized and characterized. [structure: see text]     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of the Trimeric Furoxan (= Furazan 2-Oxide) System,a New Potent Vasodilating Moiety

The synthesis, structural characterization, and NO donor properties of a series of terfuroxan (= terfurazan trioxide) derivatives 1a–h and 2a–j are reported (Schemes 1 and 2). Structural assignments were confirmed principally by mass and ¹³C- and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The extent and the initial rate of NO release in the presence of thiol cofactor was evaluated for each derivative. Vasodilator effects of all the terfuroxan derivatives were evaluated on endothelium-denuded strips of rat aorta precontracted with noradrenaline. Concentration-response curves were also evaluated in the presence of 10 m?M oxyhemoglobin (HbO₂), a well known NO scavenger. The whole series displays high vasodilating potency; the most active terfuroxans ( 1a, b, g and 2i ) are 5–10 times as potent as glyceryl trinitrate taken as reference (see Table 3). The potency decrease observed in the presence of HbO₂ agrees with the involvement of NO in the vasorelaxing action. The 4,3′:4′,4″ connection (series 1 ; furoxan numbering) gives rise to the most potent compounds. The conformational factors seem to play important roles in the activity. No clear relationship between physico-chemical properties of the substituents and potencies of derivative emerges.     

THE PHOTODYNAMIC EFFECT OF ROSE BENGAL ON PROTEINS OF THE MITOCHONDRIAL INNER MEMBRANE

Photodynamic action promoted by Rose Bengal was evaluated in solutions of unsaturated fatty acids or histidine, and on beef heart submitochondrial particles. Rose Bengal-promoted photooxidation of histidine was mainly due to the opening up of the imidazole ring by singlet oxygen. Photosensitization of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) resulted in oxygen consumption and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) formation, the extent of which was linearly related to the increasing degree of unsaturation. Photosensitization of submitochondrial particles caused oxygen consumption and TBARS production. These processes involved two different reaction components: during the first, most of the mitochondrial proteins were inactivated, the most sensitive being succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c. The values for the rate ratios of [TBARS] formation/[O2] consumption for the first and second phase were 0.36 and 1.32%, respectively, pointing to a larger contribution of lipid peroxidation during the second phase. The calculation of the rate constants for reaction of singlet oxygen with mitochondrial proteins suggests that singlet oxygen is more reactive towards proteins than to PUFA. The biological role of this selectivity is discussed in terms of the mitochondria as one of the first targets for photosensitized reactions.     

Are cyclopentadienyl complexes more stable than their pyrrolyl analogues?

Metal-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl (M-Cp) and metal-η⁵-pyrrolyl (M-pyr) bond dissociation enthalpies in group 4 complexes were determined from DFT/B3LYP calculations with a VTZP basis set. Thermochemical cycles involving calculated enthalpies of ligand exchange reactions and experimental values of ligand electron affinities and M-Cl bond dissociation enthalpies were applied to [M(η⁵-X)Cl₃] piano stool complexes (M = Ti, Zr, Hf; X = pyr, Cp), allowing a comparative study of those metal-ligand bond strengths. The results indicate that both ligands establish weaker bonds with Ti than with the heavier elements, Zr and Hf. Very similar bond dissociation enthalpies were obtained for pyrrolyl and cyclopentadienyl (within 1 kcal mol⁻¹), suggesting that the well known difference in reactivity between those families of complexes should derive from kinetic rather than thermodynamic causes.     

Effect of inhibitors released during steam-explosion pretreatment of barley straw on enzymatic hydrolysis

The influence of the liquid fraction (prehydrolysate) generated during steam-explosion pretreatment (210°C, 15 min) of barley straw on the enzymatic hydrolysis was determined. Prehydrolysate was analyzed for degradation compounds and sugars' content and used as a medium for enzymatic hydrolysis tests after pH adjusting to 4.8. Our results show that the presence of the compounds contained in the prehydrolysate strongly affects the hydrolysis step (a 25% decrease in cellulose conversion compared with control). Sugars are shown to be more potent inhibitors of enzymatic hydrolysis than degradation products.     

Inorganic species in water and sediments of the Lamone and Marzeno rivers ecosystem

Analytical results are reported for the determination of inorganic species in water and sediments sampled in the Lamone and Marzeno rivers ecosystem. The species determined are Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg, F-, Cl- Br-, NO3-, SO4--, Na+, K+, Mg++, Ca++, NH4+ in superficial water, and Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg in sediments. For all the elements, in addition to detection limits, precision and accuracy are given: the former, expressed as relative standard deviation (s(r)), and the latter, expressed as relative error (e), were good, being in all cases lower than 6%.     

Influence of intramolecular hydrogen-bonding on the conformational properties of sugar thioureas

Reaction of deoxyisothiocyanato derivatives of 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene--D-galactopyranose, 1,2:3,5-di-O-isopropylidene--D-glucofuranose, and 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-D-fructopyranose with ammonia afforded the conesponding sugar thioureas. Both the Z and E stereoisomers around the NH---C(=S) bond were observed in the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of the later in the low temperature range, their relative proportions being a function of the sugar configuration. Experimental evidence for the existence of seven-membered NHO intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the E isomers of thioureas has been obtained from DNMR experiments, rotational barrier height calculations, measurements of temperature coefficients for the ¹H chemical shifts of the NH signals, and study of the influence of the solvent polarity in the rotameric ratio.     

Sigma-borane coordinated to nickel(0) and some related nickel(II) trihydride complexes

The reactions of the complexes [(dcype)NiH]2, 1, [(dippe)NiH]2, 2, and [(dtbpe)NiH]2, 3, with a mixture of BEt3 and Super-Hydride (LiHBEt3) afforded sigma-borane nickel(0) compounds of the type [(dcype)Ni(sigma-HBEt2)], 4, [(dippe)Ni(sigma-HBEt2)], 5, [(dtbpe)Ni(sigma-HBEt2)], 6, respectively, with the concomitant formation in each case of [(dcype)2Ni2)(H)3][BEt4], 7, [(dippe)2Ni2(H)3][BEt4], 8 and [(dtbpe)2Ni2(H)3][BEt4], 9, respectively. X-ray crystal structures are reported for 4 and 8.The reaction of BEt3 and LiHBEt3 was also reviewed in detail.     

Reactions of Cyclopalladated Benzylidene-aniline Schiff's Base Complexes. Selective Synthesis of 2′-Substituted Schiff's Base Derivatives and the X-Ray Crystal Structure of the Dimer [Pd(μ-OAc)(5′-OCH3?C6H3CHNC6H4-4-CH3)]2

The 2′-cyclopalladated imine complex , reacts with CO in MeOH to afford the 2′-substituted aryl imine 2′-CO₂CH₃-5′-OCH₃? C₆H₃CH?NTol (Tol = C₆H₄-4-CH₃). The product of this reaction can be altered by changing the bridging ligand from AcO to Cl, in which case only the 5-membered ring heterocyclic compound is obtained. [Pd(μ-OAc)( 1a )]₂ with 2 equiv. of Ph₃P and CO (1 atm) gives the heterocyclic which arises from two CO insertion reactions, whereas [PdX( 1a )]₂ (X = AcO, Cl) with 4 equiv. of C?NBu^t and 4 equiv. of Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ affords the heterocyclic ketenimine [PdCl( 1a )]₂ reacts with CH₂?CHCO₂CH₂CH₃ to afford 2′(? CH?CHCO₂CH₂CH₃)-5′-OCH₃C₆H₃CHO, and [Pd(μ-OAc)( 1a )]₂ with I₂ to give 2′-I-5′-OCH₃C₆H₃CHO. Excess CH₃O₂CC?CCO₂CH₃ reacts with various substituted cyclopalladated Schiff's bases in MeOH to afford which we formulate as possessing two Pd? C bonds, and one coordinated ester O atom. The X-ray crystal structure of [Pd(μ-OAc)( 1a )]₂ has been determined; relevant bond lengths [Å] and bond angles [°] are: Pd? O(1), 2.139(6), Pd? O(2), 2.026(6), Pd? N, 2.039(6), Pd? C(2′), 1.951(8), Pd? Pd, 3.113(1), N? Pd? C(2′), 80.9(3), N? Pd? O(1), 97.5(2), C(2′)? Pd? O(2), 91.7(3), O(1)? Pd? O(2), 89.2(2).     

Theoretical analysis of the smallest carbon cluster containing a planar tetracoordinate carbon

A series of molecules, based on the smallest carbon cluster with one planar tetracoordinate carbon atom, C5(2-), are presented. To gain a better understanding about which electronic factors contribute to their stabilization, several global reactivity indexes, molecular scalar fields, and magnetic responses were calculated. The optimized bond lengths and the topological analysis of the electron density show that the central carbon atom in the parent dianion C5(2-) has a planar local environment, and it is coordinated to four other carbon atoms. The bonding of the parent dianion with the metal cations is highly ionic. The magnetic properties show that the C5(2-) derivatives are strongly diatropic and have a remarkable transferability of structural and electronic features from the anion to the salts. The theoretical analysis suggests that the lithium salt, C5Li2, is the most plausible candidate for experimental detection.